USA > Indiana > Historical data and life sketches of the deceased ministers of the Indiana Conference of the Evangelical Association, 1835 to 1915, Volume II > Part 21
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NEW MADISON, OHIO
The class of New Madison was near the town of this name and was about ten miles S. W. of Greenville, Ohio, near the Penn. R. R. No further history was found.
NEWPORT, KY.
G. M. Hallwachs, when he was pastor in Cincinnati, conducted a Sunday School in this town just across the river from Cincinnati. After S. S. he would
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preach to the people. He had a fair start, but when Cincinnati was abandoned this place also was dropped.
NOBLESVILLE, INDIANA
Jacob Keiper, when he served Hamilton Mission in 1855, preached some- times here in the court house and in the Presbyterian Church. A. Erbe and a brother Gerberich of the Ev. Association lived here then. In the vicinity of Noblesville, A. Nicolai and M. W. Steffey preached sometimes. The class in the city was organized in 1862 by E. L. Kiplinger.
In 1870 the Conference ordered the trustees of the Arcadia Society, Cicero Circuit, to sell their church, and apply the proceeds for the purchasing or build- ing of a church in Noblesville. Ruben Riegel was the pastor. In 1871 a frame church was bought in the heart of Noblesville, and was remodelled and rededi- cated. At first the society seemed to prosper, but soon conditions changed. We never had enough substantial people here to give much prestige to the society. It belonged to Cicero Charge. In 1872-73, J. Wales was pastor; in '73 the name of the field was changed to Noblesville Circuit; in 1874, G. W. Freehafer; '75-76, A. R. Shafer; '77-78, A. Hartzler who died here; 1879, A. Geist; '80-81, D. Martz. In March '81, Martz reported, "This society is down to the verge of utter ruin, having dwindled down to less than 20 members, and with no S. S. and no prayer- meeting." He overcame certain difficulties and had a good revival with seven accessions the first year, and 25 the second, and reported 60 members, January, 1883. For pastors see under Cicero. A revival held here by Smith and Scheid- ler assisted by Miss Shawhan in 1888, resulted in 33 accessions. While E. E. Meyers was pastor he planned, for a Christmas entertainment in the church, a derrick, shaped like a natural gas-well derrick, and covered it with cotton bat- ting. It was ornamented with many tapers and presents. But alas! In the midst of the program the burning tapers set the cotton on fire. The people, seized with fright, scrambled for the exits. But some heroically grappled with the fire and soon extinguished it after about three-fourths of the presents were destroyed. Nothing else was seriously damaged, and on December 31, the scheme was repeated, and all went well.
In 1892 H. E. Overmeyer reported conditions deplorable. Less than half of 84 members paid any salary. C. D. Rarey reported October, 1897, "This so- ciety had a red letter day". The interior of the church was remodelled, the ex- penses were more than met, and S. P. Spreng, editor, was present and reopened the house with special services. In 1893 efforts were made to sell the church and parsonage and to apply the proceeds toward a new church, but instead, the build- ing was repaired and remodelled, with the hope of succeeding more substantially. But after repeated hopeful efforts and promising revivals the field had to be abandoned in the spring of 1912, and the Conference ordered the sale of the church property which brought $3,500.00, of which $500.00 was refunded to the
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Cicero Circuit for a new parsonage. The balance was applied as follows: $1,000 to Brazil new church, and the rest was loaned to societies where new churches were being built. Charter members here were: Dr. D. Miesse, Daniel Miesse, Wm. Lieb's, Mr. Buck and their families.
NORTH LIBERTY, SALEM
Salem Society was about four miles north of North Liberty, commonly known as the "Sonseley" Class. This class dates back to 1864 when P. Roth took up this place. In 1866 this class, Tabor, Lakeville, and Roselle, about one mile south of Wanatah, became North Liberty Mission. In 1867 this mission was discontinued and the appointments re-attached to South Bend Circuit, except Roselle. In 1880 it was again a part of North Liberty Mission, and in 1881 it was joined to Mishawaka Circuit. On August 7, 1881, the brick church here was dedicated by Editor T. C. Clewell. Some of the leading members were Sonse- ley's, Flora's and Grove's. In 1898 this society asked Conference to allow it to move its church to North Liberty or to sell it, and apply the proceeds to the building of a new church in this place as it might be most feasible. Both were granted but neither was done. In 1901 North Liberty Mission was restored, including Salem. In 1903 it belonged to West South Bend Mission. In 1905 to Bremen Circuit. In 1908 services here ceased. For pastors see Tabor.
NORTH OLIVE, DEFIANCE CO., OHIO
This society was three miles south of Bryan, Ohio. The class was organ- ized about 1882, or '83, by S. S. Albert who reported, Feb. 19th, that a pro- tracted meeting was in progress with 13 seekers. A brick church was built and dedicated by Bishop J. J. Esher, February 4, 1884, as North Olive Church. The cost of the church was $1,500.00. The membership was then 20 consisting of Hummel's, Boucher's, Schmarktenberger's. It belonged to Defiance Circuit. but in 1892 it became a part of Edgerton Circuit. In 1904 the society chose to discontinue their organization from a want of a future. The furniture was sold for $25.00 and the church reverted to the owner of the farm of which this land was originally a part.
NORTH WEBSTER, INDIANA
This place was originally a part of Elkhart Circuit. In 1850, J. J. Esher and J. Wolf were the pastors and it then belonged to St. Joseph District of the Illinois Conference. Preaching was held in homes and schoolhouses. The mem- bers were then a part of the Ebenezer Class cast of Syracuse, called "Beyrer's" Class. In June 1852 it became a part of the Indiana Conference. For pastors see under Elkhart Circuit up to 1872, when it became a part of Benton Circuit with P. Roth and Aug. Geist as pastors. In 1879 Webster Mission was formed, composed of N. Webster, Calvary, five miles south; Trinity (Snyder), and Beth-
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el, west of Columbia City; Larwill and Silver Lake, and was added to Ft. Wayne District. For pastors, see Volume I. '14-16, J. M. Kistler; '17, F. C. Wacknitz; '18, B. C. Earhart. In 1919 the place was abandoned.
Charter members were: Chas. Bougher and wife; Chas. Bougher, Jr., and wife; Jacob and Elizabeth Stemler; Henry and Christian Klein; M. Gugler and wife; Peter Young and wife and daughter Kath .; Adam Scherer and wife; John and Thelitha Bougher; Jacob Bougher; Matilda Klein, later wife of J. F. Bock- man; H. Klein, first class-leader.
In 1864 the first church was built by M. Krueger near the west bank of Webster Lake. The trustees were Henry Klein, Chas. Bougher, Sr., and Chas. Rougher, Jr. Before the church was built, the Sunday School was held in what later became John Klein's warehouse. Then in an old schoolhouse where the first religious services were held. This was during the Civil War time. The sec- ond church was built by A. D. Kroft on Main Street, and was dedicated by S. H. Baumgartner, P. E., on November 23, 1913, under rather embarrassing condi- tions, as no bishop could be obtained, and L. S. Fisher had declined. When the P. E. arrived, he was informed that he must dedicate the church without all the windows in. There was no altar and pulpit, and the seats were not assembled; but work of setting up the pews, and fixtures continued until 11 p. m. Saturday. The church was dedicated on above date at which time $2,500 was raised in cash and pledges. The total cost of the church was $5,000.00. Opposition, indiffer- ence, and disaffection in the society caused a gradual decline. The church and parsonage were sold in 1920 for $5,390.00 and the proceeds applied for a new par- sonage in Columbia City, Indiana, costing $4,550.00 leaving a surplus of $774.72 to flow into the Conference treasury, which was applied towards building the Oakwood Park superintendent's home. This society worshipped in English since about 1884. It maintained a Sunday School to the end. It had a parson- age for many years.
NORTH WEBSTER, BETHEL
This appointment, sometimes called "West Columbia Class", lies three and one-half miles west of Columbia City. It dates back to 1870. For a long while this class worshipped in a schoolhouse, near where the church now stands. Charter members were: Father Haas and family, L. C. Mosher and family, Markwalter's, Harris', and others. The work developed slowly. A Sunday School was also maintained. Not until 1908, under the labors of D. R. Heil, did the society build a church. John Harris donated an acre of land. The Dunkard Church near here was bought, and rebuilt at a cost of $850.00. Of this amount, $635.00 had been pledged before dedication at which time the balance was se- cured. F. L. Snyder, a son of North Webster Circuit, dedicated the church in the fall. The dimensions are 30 x 40 feet. It has a tower and a pulpit recess. This class has always belonged with Webster except one year to Bippus Cir- cuit. Since 1919 it is a part of Columbia City Charge, served by B. R. Hoover
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three years with success; 1922-23, B. C. Earhart. The field was transferred to Ft. Wayne District in 1920.
NORTH WEBSTER, TRINITY
This class was long known as the "Snyder Schoolhouse" Society. The Sny- der family being the prominent one here. Also a Hoffer family lived here. The exact time when our church began to work here is not found. But Jos. Paulin and M. Speck preached in the vicinity in 1862; it was then called the Whitley County Class. The same ministers served here as at Webster. In March, 1884, W. H. Brightmire held a four weeks' revival, resulting in 23 conversions and 27 accessions, mostly heads of families. In January, 1886, another one was held lasting six weeks. F. L. Snyder, likely a convert of the previous revival, began to exhort in this meeting with great liberty and success, and 57 persons, mostly young people, were saved, and many joined church. From this society issucd three ministers: B. F. Snyder, 1886, who later joined the M. E. Church in Dako- ta; F. L. Snyder, 1887; and F. W. Hart, 1888, who later joined another denomina - tion. In 1908 D. R. Heil built a church about one mile west of the Snyder Schoolhouse and it was dedicated as Trinity Church by Editor C. Staebler, of Cleveland, Ohio, May 10, 1908, at a cost of $1,912.47. The class remains small but maintains a Sunday School.
OAK GROVE, INDIANA
This was Oak Grove Schoolhouse Class in Fulton Co., three miles S. W. of Rochester, Indiana. It was taken up by J. Wales with Rochester Circuit. Some of the members were: Hunter's, Philip's, Perry Rice, Henry Ault's, and White's. Most of the people were renters, and therefore no permanent work could be established. Later some moved into Rochester where they joined our church, and some joined at Burton. L. Newman was about the last minister. He preached here regularly for four years. A church lot was bought, but a church was never built, for reasons above given. The lot was later sold.
OAK GROVE, WILLIAMS CO., OHIO
J. M. Kronmiller took up this place about seven miles N. W. of Bryan, Ohio. in 1852. The class is also known as Jerusalem. K. organized a class here. Services were held in a schoolhouse alternating with the M. E. and the U. B. people. Our services were then exclusively German. This society was a part of DeKalb Circuit until 1859, when it became a part of Defiance Mission which now embraced the appointments east of the St. Joseph River. In 1875 this clas; with Edon, West Buffalo, Florence, Schotts, Hicksville, and Fish Creek (Edger- ton) becanie Edgerton Circuit. In 1878 this field was served jointly with De- fiance by B. F. Dill and A. O. Raber. In 1879 it was alone again. From 1852- 65 this class belonged to St. Joseph District when the name was changed to
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Elkhart District, and remained with it until 1871 when it became a part of Ft. Wayne District, until 1895 when it became a part of Kendallville District for four years; then it was placed back to Fort Wayne District where it has re- mained since. For a list of pastors see DeKalb Circuit up to 1859, then under Defiance up to 1875, then to Edgerton up to 1903, then to Hicksville up to 1907, then again to Edgerton to 1923. Edgerton became a mission in 1901 and a circuit in 1912.
In 1881 the first church (frame) 32 x 46 feet was built on a stone foundation with a small belfry and bell. A. R. Shafer was the pastor. It was dedicated December 20, 1881, by D. S. Oakes, substitute for M. Krueger, P. E., who was ill. Over $300.00 was raised on dedication day. In 1881 the schoolhouse was closed against our people. They were not well-to-do. Building a church was a great undertaking. In December, 1881, after dedication, S. S. Albert held a revival here resulting in 35 conversions and 26 accessions. Thus God's approval was given. The progress of this society has been rather slow, partly due to three similar denominations working here in close proximity. The worship became English about 1890. There has been a Sunday School maintained from the beginning. This class furnished four ministers: Henry Maier in 1861. He be- came a Civil War Veteran in 1864. See Vol. I. Rob. Rainey in 1882; G. F. Zuber, in 1896, son-in-law to R. R., and Schuyler D. Rainey, son of R. R., in 1904.
OLIVE CENTER, INDIANA
This class was near New Paris. In 1884 when D. Martz held a meeting here in September, four persons were reclaimed.
OAKWOOD, OHIO
This class lies five miles east of Bryan, Ohio. In the spring of 1922, H. S. Berger of Edgerton Circuit, took up this abandoned M. E. community. He held a revival meeting here resulting in a score of conversions. In April, 1922, his successor, R. L. Haley, organized a society with 11 members. He held a revival in the winter of 1923 when more united with the Evangelical Church. The old M. E. Church property was bought for $225.00. Some repairs were made and the church was dedicated by S. H. Baumgartner, P. E., April 29, 1923, as the Oakwood Church. We have a good frame church here with circular pews in it. It has a corner tower with bell, and a pulpit recess, a total value of $3,000.00.
OLNEY, PRAIRIE CLASS, ILLINOIS
The work of the Ev. Association in Richland Co., Illinois, had its beginning in what was known as "Grand Prairie" about three miles N. E. of Olney. This was in 1842 when Chr. Augenstein of the Ohio Conference served here. He preached in private homes. He had great opposition. In 1843 the Ohio Con- ference took up this community as a mission which embraced Wabash, Edwards,
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Richland, Lawrence, and Clarke Counties in Illinois, and Dubois County, In- diana. Chr. Lintner and A. Nicolai were the first missionaries. Under their labor Henry Zwallen was converted to God and was the first to join the Ev. Association. Before going to the Conference session in 1844 Zwallen was asked, "Is it worth the effort to continue here?" He begged that efforts might con- tinue one more year. It was done and fruits began to show. A. Nicolai and G. G. Platz were now pastors. The Illinois Conference was organized to which this mission now belonged. Souls were saved each year and joined the church. Prayer meetings were held without a regular organization. In 1845, by dividing this mission, Olney and vicinity became a part of Mt. Carmel Circuit. Simon Tobias and Ph. Bretsch were the pastors. They organized a society with the following members: Henry Zwallen's, Chr. Weiss', Chr. VonAllman's, C. Schwartz's, and B. Willeman's. Zwallen was the first class-leader. Their serv- ices were often very spiritual. Outsiders freely indulged in mockeries and Sa- tanic revenges. In 1846 J. G. Miller and J. Trometer were pastors; 1847, Wm. Fichte. Sickness compelled him to resign. Then Chr. Glaus took his place. Some souls were saved and joined church. In 1848 C. Glaus again was pastor. In 1849 this field was divided, the northern part becoming Marshall Charge, Olney remaining with Mt. Carmel Circuit. S. Dickover was pastor; 1850, H. Ragatz. A church was now the great need. The undertaking was great but it was built and dedicated in May, 1851, presumably by Geo. A. Blank, P. E. In the 1851 session of Conference, Geo. Messner, and J. F. Wolf were appointed, who served both fields, Mt. Carmel and Marshall. Many souls were converted in this church, but later the work centralized in Olney and this class was dis- continued and the church was sold.
OLNEY, FOX RIVER CLASS
This class was about three miles west of Olney. U. Feuchts lived here. It was organized in 1853 by P. Burgener. It never had a church building. Several camp-meetings were held here.
OLNEY CITY SOCIETY
The organization of this society resulted from an influx of members of the above two classes in 1853. At this time the Mt. Carmel Circuit was divided and the northern part became Olney Mission with P. Burgener, assigned. With a depressed spirit and fear he took up the task. He had 13 conversions and 14 accessions. Then he organized a society with the following members: P. P. Bauer (class-leader) and wife; Chr. Heim and wife; Mr. Huegel and wife; John Bohren, son and wife; and Minnie Schwebel. Later Ameter's, Stahley's, and Zimmerly's moved in from Grand Prairie, and Guyot's from Little Wabash, U. Feuchte from Fox River, Yelch's from Marshall and Volmer's from Big Creek Marshall Circuit, and Nuding's from Ohio.
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The first quarterly conference held in Prairie Class consisted of Chr. Glaus, P. E., P. Burgener, P. C., C. Schwartz, and P. P. Baner, class-leaders, Ulrichi Feuchte and H. Zwallen, exhorters. The second one was held in Olney in a schoolhouse. This meeting resulted in six saved and 14 accessions. At the close of this year's work, $700.00 was secured for a church in town. A lot was bought from P. P. Baner. In March, 1854, work began, hut the building was not finish- ed until July 15, 1855, when it was dedicated as "Emmanuel Church" by S. Dick- over, P. E. In 1854, P. Burgener was returned. He conducted a catechetical class, and some of the catechumens were converted during this year, to his great joy. There was prejudice against such work, fearing it would lead to mere con - firmation, but this fear gradually vanished. A parsonage also was built this year, and was constantly in use until 1885. It appears, however, that in 1862 Wesseler bought the house and moved it east beyond the present grist mill where it continued to be used as a preacher's home to above date.
In June, 1855, B. Ruh was pastor; 1856, Jos. Fisher and C. Wessling. They served this field jointly with Mt. Carmel. In 1857-58, J. Fuchs served this charge with D. Bartholomew and C. Kohlmeier first year. They served Olney, Mt. Carmel and Carmi fields together. In 1858 Olney was alone. A camp-meeting was held this year in July, four miles N. W. from here on Laur's farm, and also in August, 1859. In 1858 a church bell was installed and the church debt paid in full. C. Heim received quarterly conference license January 22, 1859. In June, 1859, Olney was made a circuit with C. Wessling, pastor. He had 50 con- versions and 53 accessions; 1860, C. Kohlmeier was pastor. At the 4th quarterly conference Jacob Grueneisen of Olney and C. F. Matthias of West Salem were licensed as preachers on probation. In 1861-62 Wm. Wesseler served this place. In August, 1862, a camp-meeting was held on the farm of Bro. Bushone, three miles from town. 1863, Geo. Schmoll. In 1864 Olney was served with Mt. Car- mel by H. L. Fisher and A. Parker; 1865, J. Berger. He had great success. 1866-67, C. Glaus; 1868-69, J. M. Kronmiller; '70-72, J. Kaufman. Many were saved and the present church lot was bought and the third year Olney was made a station. 1873-74, C. Tramer. 1875-77, Wm. G. Braeckly. The last year was only six months due to the organization of the South Indiana Conference. He compiled the history of Olney up to date. The second church (brick) was built in 1877. It was dedicated September 30, '77, by Bishop T. Bowman. The cost of the church was $12,000.00. The size was 45 x 75 feet with a tower 137 feet high and an 840-1b. bell. In the rear are two galleries, one on each side of the tower and two class rooms below. $2,100.00 was raised on dedication day. He bad 26 conversions and accessions.
In 1878 M. Speck was pastor; '79-80, J. C. Young; '81-83, H. Schleucher; '84-85, Wm. G. Braeckly again. A parsonage was built in 1884 costing $842.00. The Conference voted the society $600.00 to apply on the $900.00 church debt. 1886-87, W. L. Luehring served here. In his second year English preaching was
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introduced for every alternate Sunday evening. 1888-89, E. R. Troyer was pas- tor. 38 were saved and joined church. 1890, Wm. Koenig; '91-92, E. Bohlander. He resigned soon after Conference session in the second year, and C. Kohlmeier filled the vacancy; 1893-94, F. Rausch. On May 18, '93, the society voted 50 to 7 for English evening services. This was ratified by Q. Conference. In February, 1894, Rausch reported 36 saved and 22 accessions. '95-97, Geo. Roederer. He had 74 conversions and 50 accessions. The Y. P. A. and S. S. bought, in 1895, a $300.00 organ. In 1896 the Ladies' Aid Society enlarged the class-rooms. In the fall of 1897 the Louisville District Y. P. A. convention was held here, fol- lowed by a revival resulting in 34 conversions and 22 accessions. 1898-99, D. B. Koenig. In '98 Olney became the second time a station. Koenig had 42 con- versions. He improved the church and the parsonage during his second year, and organized a W. M. S. 1900-02, B. Schnermeier, who had 26 accessions. The church tower was struck by lightning and was then lowered to its present height for $144.00. '03-04, D. D. Speicher. J. M. Haug died in the fall of 1904, and. Speicher was elected in his place for the district, and N. J. Platz and C. Koh !- meier took pastoral charge. It became a mission again in 1904. '05-07, M. W. Sunderman. The German Sunday A. M. worship now entirely ceased. In 1906 Bompus was served with Olney. A furnace was installed this year. The par- sonage was remodelled. A Men's S. S. class was organized. Sunderman had many conversions and accessions. Olney was again made a station in 1907. '08-12, A. B. Haist. In all he had 69 conversions and 53 accessions. Electric lights were installed, graded S. S. lessons were introduced; a piano was bought by the Y. P. A. and the Ladies' Aid re-decorated the auditorium. In 1911 an orchestra was organized; cement walks built and the church building fund start- erl. In 1913-14, M. W. Sunderman again. The parsonage was enlarged and modernized. '15, C. P. Maas. The woodwork of the parsonage was repainted. '16. 17, H. E. Eberhardt. The first year the parsonage was raised, and basement cemented, and a cement porch added, and other needed repairs made, all at a cost of $700.00. Eberhardt introduced the duplex envelope system for support. '18-23, J. W. Thomas. His administration was marked with progress and had up to 1923, 39 conversions and 52 accessions. Olney belonged to the following districts: 1852-70, Wabash; 1871-75, to Evansville; 1876-92, to Olney; 1893-07, to Louisville; '08-09, Evansville; 1910, to Indianapolis.
OTTS, SOLOMON'S CREEK, SALEM
John Hall was the first Evangelical preacher that visited this place in 1842. This society lies two miles south of Benton, Elkhart Co., Indiana. On a Sunday in November, 1843, Geo. A. Blank and Daniel Kern held a meeting here. As yet there were no members here. They were however hopeful. This territory then belonged to Ft. Wayne Mission of the Indiana District of the Ohio Con- ference. In May, 1844, at the organization of the Illinois Conference, it became
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a part of it, with Geo. A. Blank and S. Tobias, pastors. In 1845 when Ft. Wayne Mission was divided into St. Mary's Mission, and Elkhart Circuit, this place stayed with the latter field. The dividing line was running north and south, a little west of Huntington and Kendallville. Geo. G. Platz organized this class (Salem) February 1846, with 15 members. Samuel Ott and wife, Jacob Ott and wife, Michael Ott, John Ott and wife, John Black and wife and daughter, James Rookstool were the members. (Three missing.) In 1846 Platz and Wm. Kolb were pastors. The first church, 30 x 30 feet, was now built and dedicated Octo- ber 18, '46, by A. B. Schafer as Salem Church, it was the second one in the Ev. Association in Indiana, the first one being in E. Germantown. On Saturday, Oct. 17, the first service was held in it, and the meeting continued until Wednes- day. Sinners were saved, and jointly with the dedication, the Lord's Supper was celebrated amidst much weeping. Believers were quickened in spiritual life and reconsecrated themselves to God. Unity of spirit prevailed. Just a year before had occurred the first conversions here. This church was replaced by a massive brick building in 1874. Dimensions were 36 x 54 feet. It had a high tower and good bell, and furnace. This was dedicated January 17, 1875, by Bishop R. Dubs. He reported, "To date I have not seen a more beautiful conn- try church anywhere in the Ev. Association." $2,000.00 was needed. One broth- er pledged $1,000.00 and one $900.00, these were big sums for this time.
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